Foster, Joseph

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Joseph Foster (1844-1905) was a genealogist. In 1885 Foster began editing the transcripts by Joseph Lemuel Chester of the 'Oxford Matriculation Register', which had become the property of Mr. Bernard Quaritch, supplemeting Chester's work from his own independent research. The result was the 'Oxford Matriculation Register' alphabetically arranged, which was published in eight volumes as Alumni Oxonienses ; four volumes, covering the period 1715-1886, appeared in 1887, and another four volumes, covering the period 1500-1714, in 1891. In recognition of this service the university gave him the honorary degree of M.A. in 1892. Foster was also responsible for Oxford Men and their Colleges, which was published soon after. See the Dictionary of National Biography for further details.

From the guide to the Matriculations of Oxford colleges, late 19th century, (University of Oxford, Bodleian Library)

Epithet: of Boston, Mass

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001345.0x000206

Joseph Foster (1844-1905) began carrying out genealogical research early in his life, compiling peerages of Quaker familes (1862-1872), and of county families in Lancashire (1873) and Yorkshire (1874). He went on to publish Peerage, barontage and knightage (1879), Men at the bar (1888), and Admissions to Gray's Inn (1899). Foster also edited and supplemented J.L. Chester's London marriage licences (1887), and produced the Oxford matriculation register in Alumni Oxonienses (8 vols., 1887-1891).

Sir Robert Forsyth Scott (1859-1933), antiquary, and master of St John's College, Cambridge.

From the guide to the Joseph Foster: Registers, Lists and Indexes, c. 1880-1901, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)

Biographical / Historical Notes

Joseph Foster reports himself being born on August 15, 1856 in Sacramento, California, although this information is not officially confirmed. Foster arrived in San Diego County in 1868 and boarded with James Johnson. Foster lived with the Johnsons in Sycamore Valley through his mid-twenties.

Foster bought a ranch located three miles north of Lakeside in 1880 and worked as a shepherd, shearing as many as 150 sheep in a day with the assistance of other men. In 1883, he became the road overseer of San Vicente District. In 1888, he established a stage line drawn by four horses that ran from San Diego to Julian and from El Cajon to Stonewall. He started this venture with the former mayor of San Diego, Frank Frary. In 1898, he bought Frary’s interest in the company. In the 1890s, the railroad line of San Diego, Cuyamaca and Eastern was extended 23 miles outside of San Diego, ending at Foster’s ranch. The station was known as Foster’s Station and town was named Foster, as it had been established by Joseph Foster.

In 1906, Foster was elected to serve as supervisor for East County. He was continuously re-elected until his retirement in 1929, serving for 23 years. In addition, he served as chairman of the Board of Supervisors for 14 years. With all of his years of public service, he became known affectionately as "Uncle Joe." When he retired, he said that it was partially to justify having a retirement party – over 400 people attended.

Foster married his wife, Martha (maiden name Swycaffer), on February 8, 1880. They had a son, Arthur, and daughter, Lula (married name McDonald). "Uncle Joe" Foster died April 9, 1933.

From the guide to the Joseph Foster Diary Collection, 1873 February 19-1882 January 20, (San Diego History Center Document Collection)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Joseph Foster: Registers, Lists and Indexes, c. 1880-1901 Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives
creatorOf Matriculations of Oxford colleges, late 19th century Bodleian Library, Oxford
referencedIn J. B. Matthews Papers, 1862-1986 and undated David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
creatorOf Joseph Foster Diary Collection, 1873 February 19-1882 January 20 San Diego History Center Document Collection
referencedIn Vol. I (ff. 245). 27 Aug. 1762-5 Dec. 1807.includes:f. 3 Joseph Whalley, merchant, of London: Note of a purchase for W. Russell: 1770.f.4 John Rogers, (?) of Birmingham: Receipt to W. Russell for land-tax: 1772.f. 6 F. de Verneuil: Promissory n... British Library
referencedIn Ralph M. Pearson Collection, 1870-1930 Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, New Mexico History Museum.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Church of England corporateBody
associatedWith Foster Joseph 1844-1905 person
associatedWith Foster, Martha person
associatedWith Inner Temple London 1495 - corporateBody
associatedWith Johnson, James person
associatedWith Littlefrage, Louis person
associatedWith Matthews, J. B. (Joseph Brown), 1894-1966 person
associatedWith Middle Temple London corporateBody
associatedWith Neve John Le 1679-1741 person
associatedWith Scott Robert Forsyth 1859-1933 person
associatedWith Swycaffer family family
associatedWith Swycaffer, Jeff person
associatedWith University of Oxford Alumni and alumnae corporateBody
associatedWith University of Oxford Biography corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
El Cajon (Calif.)
Maryland, N. America
Ballena (Calif.)
Encinitas (Calif.)
San Diego (Calif.)
St Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe, Calvados
Santa Ysabel (Calif.)
Julian (Calif.)
Cuyamaca Mountains (Calif.)
Subject
Archdeacons
Ranching
Universities and colleges England Oxford
Occupation
Activity

Person

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